US officials to press Ukraine on peace talks in Saudi Arabia meeting Tuesday

• U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia to assess Ukraine’s openness to negotiating an end to the war with Russia. The Trump administration seeks a “realistic peace deal” amid strained relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• The U.S. signaled frustration over Ukraine’s unwillingness to make territorial concessions, with Trump halting military aid and limiting intelligence sharing.
• Zelenskyy reaffirmed commitment to dialogue, while European allies cautioned against pressuring Kyiv into concessions, citing Russia’s military strength and aggression.

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U.S. officials will meet with Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 11, to assess whether Ukraine is open to negotiating an end to the war with Russia.

The talks come amid strained relations between the Trump administration and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, will meet with Ukrainian officials, though Zelenskyy will not attend.

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What is the US position on Ukraine’s stance?

The Trump administration signaled frustration over Ukraine’s unwillingness to make territorial concessions to Russia.

U.S. officials said they want to determine whether Kyiv is open to a “realistic peace deal.” One U.S. official stated that Ukraine cannot claim to seek peace while refusing to compromise on key issues.

Trump, who recently halted military aid and limited intelligence sharing with Ukraine, emphasized the need for progress.

“We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week,” he told reporters on Air Force One.

How has Ukraine responded to the talks?

Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to dialogue, stating on social media that “realistic proposals are on the table” and that quick action is necessary. He also confirmed that a delegation including top military and diplomatic officials will represent Ukraine.

Zelenskyy will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before the U.S.-Ukraine talks. The crown prince positioned Saudi Arabia as a diplomatic intermediary, previously hosting discussions between U.S. and Russian officials.

What is the state of US-Ukraine relations?

Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy escalated after an Oval Office meeting in February. Trump argued Ukraine has little leverage in negotiations due to Russia’s military strength and urged Kyiv to accept diplomatic terms shaped by the U.S.

Ukraine’s European allies contended that any agreement should be negotiated from a position of strength and that Kyiv should not be pressured into making concessions. Ukrainian officials maintained that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace and will continue aggression if left unchecked.

What other factors are at play?

A stalled minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine looms over the talks. The deal, which would grant the U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees, was expected to be signed during Zelenskyy’s last visit to Washington but was delayed.

Trump said that the U.S. is still open to finalizing the deal but wants proof Ukraine is serious about peace talks.

“They will sign the minerals deal, but I want them to want peace … They haven’t shown it to the extent they should,” he said.

What are next steps?

The U.S. delegation will monitor Ukraine’s willingness to engage in a potential peace framework.

Trump suggested he is considering new sanctions on Russia to pressure both sides into negotiations but has also stated that discussions with Moscow are progressing more smoothly than with Kyiv.

With military support from the U.S. on pause, Ukraine faces growing pressure to navigate diplomatic challenges while maintaining its battlefield position. The upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia will be a key indicator of how the Trump administration plans to approach the war moving forward.